A Creative Journal from Gadanke {Launch Week Giveaway #3}

Yesterday’s giveaway was about a person and product who really helped inspire me on a blogging and marketing level.  But today and tomorrow’s giveaways are much more personal, they’re from business owners who I’ve gotten to know over the last year and who have provided great guidance to me.

When I was thinking about people and business owners who have inspired me, my good friend Katie topped my list.

Before I tell you about this giveaway, I need to give a big fat public shout-out to Katie!

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ve probably already heard of her.  She’s the thought-provoking blogger behind Making This Home.  She’s the inspiring creator of Gadanke, a handmade journal shop.  Most importantly, she’s a very good friend who has not only inspired me but has also encouraged me and listened to me from the beginning of my business journey.

When I first found her blog, I spent at least an hour reading through old posts.  I came away from it thinking “Wow! This girl is SO cool.  She’s living as an expat in a 450 sq foot apartment in Germany.  She flies planes.  She and her husband built their own kitchen from scratch.  She’s constantly simplifying She’s environmentally friendly.”  And then in the Fall of 2009, she launched a handmade journal shop, a business which she now runs full time while her husband is a full-time engineering student.

Finally, I got to meet Katie in real life at Blissdom.  I was so scared she wouldn’t like me in person.  I felt like I was no where as cool as she was.  Those fears were pointless; we had a blast.  And you know how you read some blogs and like their online personality, but a part of you wonders if they really are all-that-and-a-bag-of-chips in real life?  I can now promise you that Katie is all that and TEN bags of chips!

Now let’s talk about Gadanke.  It’s such an incredible shop, borne out of Katie’s passion for documenting life, and her interest in helping others do the same.  I want to tell you all about it, but I fear I will butcher her story.  Therefore, I encourage you to hop over here and read her story of how her sincere passion for journaling developed.  She tells it so well.

And now for the giveaway.  I’m so excited to be able to offer one of you a special journal from Gadanke.

Giveaway #3:   A special journal from Gadanke

***This giveaway is now closed.***

There’s a new journal in Katie’s shop.  It’s called  {Become:  Me, My Creative Self}, and it’s a very special journal that Katie created to help women explore their creative selves.  I just ordered mine; I love her other journals that I have and I just know that {Become} will be perfect for documenting and celebrating the journey I take with Janery.

In Katie’s words:  “This book is a creative journey diary.  It’s goal is to help you open your heart and slowly craft some answers about the creative life you want to live – whether in your hobbies or even career.  It’s a huge celebration of exploring the woman you’re meant to become.”

Because this week is a celebration of following your creative dreams, I specifically asked Katie if we could do the giveaway with {Become} specifically.  I know many of you are creative, in fact many of you have told me that you’re starting your own creative business journey in one way or another, so I hope you’ll find this giveaway as meaningful as I do.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Simply comment on this post!
2. For a second chance to win, please visit Gadanke and comment to let us know which is your favorite journal.
3. For a third chance to win, follow Katie on Twitter – she’s @MakingThisHome

Other details:

• This giveaway closes on Friday, 6/17/2011 at 10:00 PM
• The winner will be randomly chosen and announced on or after Monday, 6/20/2011
• The prize will ship after Tuesday, 6/21/2011